Mike Slive, the former SEC Commisioner from 2002-15, died Wednesday in Birmingham.

Slive oversaw an era of extreme success in the conference with it’s members winning 81 national championships during his tenure. He is also credited with helping form the SEC Network which brings 1000 events to homes nationwide every year.

Slive served as the coordinator of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) from 2006-08 and served as chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee from 2008-09.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years Liz, daughter Anna, son-in-law Judd Harwood and granddaughter Abigail.

The family has asked in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Mike Slive Foundation for Prostate Cancer here.